Solidarity exhibited at Malom Massacre site; Candle light vigil held against AFSPA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2015:
Delegates of the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) today organized a candle light vigil at the infamous Malom Massacre ground to show their solidarity to all those who lost their near and dear ones in the hands of security forces and Irom Sharmila's crusade against AFSPA.
The commemorative function also demanded revocation of the draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from all the States of India.
They together made a human chain and pledged to work together to uproot the atrocities committed by the Army and other security forces in the North Eastern States under the roof of AFSPA.
Earlier today, delegates of NEDF from the seven sister States (Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur) held a press meet at Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak demanding repeal of AFSPA and release of Irom Chanu Sharmila from judicial custody.
NEDF discussed the critical issues of human rights violation under AFSPA and environmental protection and climate change exacerbated by various hydro electric projects.
They expressed their shock over the statements made by Union Home Minister and Defence Ministry to reject the report of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission on AFSPA, which recommended repealing the AFSPA.
Later the delegates showed their objection to the plan of Govt of India to construct more than 200 large hydro electric power projects in the region by undermining all the mandatory clearance processes.
Rev Baisawmoit of Meghalaya, advisor to NEDF shared his horrifying experiences on how public are brutally harassed by security forces in the border areas of Meghalaya even though Meghalaya is not under AFSPA.
He expressed his concern that the situation in Manipur and other States could be worse and he compared situation in the North East with Pakistan where two Governments, one run by civil authorities and another run by military authorities, exist side by side.
Baisawmoit said, "The Army and other security forces under the shadow of AFSPA have been violating the basic human rights of NE people and the Governments are still silent" .
He urged the people of NE to be united as one and fight against the Central Government to remove such a draconian and inhuman law.
Meanwhile Sobita Mangshatabam of WAD also an executive member of NEDF said that India is a democratic country which shows no signs or elements of democracy in the North Eastern part of the country.
She added that an Act which has its legacy in the colonial period is still in force.
The excesses under AFSPA have exceeded the tolerance limits of public and the Govt of India should not commit the blunder of overlooking this fact.
Nirmud Saikia from Assam said that the scenario of casualties from the high-handed attitude of security forces are so high and the people of Upper Assam are the worst affected.
Jonbani from Nagaland too shared how her husband was killed post the cease fire agreement in 1999 and many people are still reeling under the effects of AFSPA.
Anthony Deb Berman from Tripura asked the GoI why the Act still in force after Tripura has been freed from insurgents.
He added that all the civil and political rights are violated by the Army and security force which needs to be stopped.
The convention urged the GoI to establish a Special Investigation Team to investigate the massacre of 96 people including women and children on December 23, 2014 in Assam.
It also urged the repeal AFSPA and release of Chanu Sharmila at the earliest.
The declaration also included inviting the UN Special Rapporteur on Promotion of Human Rights and Countering Terrorism, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women.
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